High Blood Pressure, Anxiety, and Stress: The Brain-Spine Connection to Autonomic Balance

This podcast episode, hosted by Dr. Ekberg, delves into the often-misunderstood nature of high blood pressure, asserting that it is not inherently a disease but rather a normal physiological variable that the body constantly regulates. The core argument is that the problem arises when blood pressure remains chronically elevated, indicating that the body is 'stuck' in a persistent state of stress. This stress response, mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, prepares the body for 'fight or flight' by increasing blood pressure and diverting resources away from internal maintenance functions (parasympathetic 'feed and breed' activities).

The episode highlights that the brain's cortex is designed to inhibit this stress response and bring blood pressure back down. However, when this inhibitory mechanism is compromised, the body remains in a high-stress state, leading to sustained hypertension. Dr. Ekberg emphasizes that the body perceives various stressors—from a grizzly bear to traffic, bills, or politics—in the same physiological way, triggering the same blood pressure-raising response. The critical distinction made is that the issue isn't the temporary rise in blood pressure, but rather why the body continues to perceive a threat and maintain that elevated state.

To address this, the podcast offers practical insights centered on increasing cortical activity to enhance its inhibitory function. Exercise is presented as the single best method, as it stimulates receptors, particularly in the spine, which sends powerful signals to the brain. Citing Nobel Prize winner Roger Sperry, Dr. Ekberg notes that a significant portion of brain stimulation originates from the spine. Consequently, chiropractic adjustments are also recommended as a powerful signal to the cortex, helping to inhibit the stress response and restore balance. This approach suggests that issues like high blood pressure are not merely 'pinched nerves' but rather manifestations of an autonomic nervous system imbalance.

The broader implications of this perspective extend beyond just blood pressure, connecting chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation to other conditions like high cholesterol and chronic pain. The episode advocates for a holistic understanding of health, where movement, spinal integrity, and brain function are intrinsically linked to the body's ability to manage stress and maintain physiological equilibrium. It encourages listeners to explore these mechanisms to improve overall function and well-being, challenging conventional views by focusing on the underlying causes of chronic conditions rather than just symptomatic treatment.

what a lot of people don't realize is that blood pressure is a normal physiological variable it's not a disease that happens to you it's just something that the body regulates up and down all the time

the problem then is not that the blood pressure goes up the problem is that it stays up why does your body think that you're still in a state of stress and that's the real problem

it doesn't matter if it's a grizzly bear or traffic or bills or politics or war if your body perceives stress it will increase that blood pressure to get you ready for the fight

in order for you to have resources available for that fight the sympathetic will inhibit will turn off the parasympathetic or feed breed

the cortex is wired and designed to inhibit to stop that stress response and bring the blood pressure back down but that's the mechanism that isn't working

The single best way is called exercise because when you exercise you fire off receptors in the body and the place where there's more receptors than anywhere else in your body is called the spine

Nobel Prize winner Roger Sperry says ninety percent of the stimulation to the brain the stimulation that keeps the brain alive comes from the spine

the adjustment in itself is a very powerful signal to the cortex which will help inhibit that stress response

It is not a pinched nerve it is an autonomic nervous system imbalance